Bazemore and Matco Tools team aim for top five
DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2005 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 21 of 23 O'REILLY NHRA FALL NATIONALS Texas Motorplex Dallas, Texas Race Dates: Oct. 7-9, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net BAZEMORE AND MATCO TOOLS TEAM AIM FOR TOP FIVE DALLAS (Oct. 6, 2005) - Whit Bazemore and the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car team continue on their consistent path to finish the 2005 POWERade Drag Racing Series in the top five in points. With two wins, one low qualifier and five semifinal finishes this season, including four in the last seven events, the team that struggled mid-season to regain its strong performance from earlier is now working its way back up to the front in probably the most competitive season in NHRA Funny Car history. This weekend's O'Reilly Nationals at the Texas Motorplex will play a key part in the team's direction, as the two-time U.S. Nationals champion who is seeking his first Funny Car crown, is seventh in the rankings and 151 points out of a top-five finish. "We've had two good races in a rows, the semis in Indy and then again at Maple Grove," said Bazemore. "They're good, consistent results. They're not exceptional, but on race day we seem to be able to perform pretty well and the Matco Tools team is working hard. "Obviously, we're coming to Dallas with the intention of winning the race, but we have to work harder to make our car the strongest car in the field, and right now we're not. My teammate (Gary) Scelzi (points leader) seems to have a very, very strong car right now. That team is doing an outstanding job. And (other teammate Ron) Capps' car is running awfully well. "Our Matco Tools guys have their heads down and they're doing everything they know how to do and so am I. We have high hopes going into Dallas." SCHEDULE: On Friday, Oct. 7, professional qualifying sessions are at 4:30 and 7 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 8, pro qualifying contginues at at noon and 3 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 9, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: On Saturday, Oct. 8, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 4 p.m. (ET). On Sunday, Oct. 9, ESPN2 will televise three hours of final eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET). WHIT BAZEMORE QUICK FACTS: * Two-time U.S. Nationals champion, 1997 and 2001 * Seventh in 2005 Funny Car point standings after 20 events, 151 points out of fifth place * Won two events this year (Gainesville, Las Vegas), No. 1 qualifier once (Columbus) * Qualified No. 4 at 2004 O'Reilly Fall Nationals, lost second round to Del Worsham * Has never won Funny Car here * No. 1 qualifier here in 2001 * Qualified in the top two in nine events in 2004, four times in No. 1 * No. 6 in 2004 Funny Car points, with two wins, five final rounds * First Funny Car driver to break 325-mph barrier (U.S. Nationals 2001) * Career quickest ET is 4.713 seconds, career fastest speed is 333.25 mph, both set at Route 66 Raceway in 2004 in what was at the time the quickest and fastest speed in Funny Car history * Won three times in 2003, runner-up five times * Has 19 career Funny Car event wins in 43 final rounds in 315 races * Took the 2003 championship chase to penultimate race in Las Vegas in an exciting final round against eventual champion Tony Pedregon * Was second twice in the Funny Car championship in 2001 and 2003, third in 1997 and '99 and has finished in the top five six times and 12 times in the top 10 since 1992 * Age 42, born in New York City, an avid cyclist, lives in Indianapolis with wife Michelle, a competitive amateur cyclist, and son Dashiell Aidan, born March 12, 2005 (same as Bazemore's birthday) * 2005 is his fifth season with Don Schumacher Racing ***